On COP28 Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Brazil’s Minister for Indigenous Peoples Sonia Guajajara celebrated the achievements and representation of Indigenous peoples during COP28, emphasising the vital importance of Indigenous leadership in addressing climate change.
‘I am very proud to participate in Indigenous Peoples Day at the COP’, Minister Guajajara said at a news conference marking the COP28 Indigenous Peoples’ Day. ‘Today we mark a milestone in Indigenous representation at a COP, with the largest delegation from Brazil and the world’s largest Indigenous delegation ever assembled. This unprecedented gathering signifies a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change, as Indigenous voices take centre stage.’
Minister Guajajara highlighted the importance of hearing Indigenous voices in the negotiations at COP28. “Despite making up only 5 percent of the world’s population, Indigenous peoples protect a staggering 82 percent of the planet’s biodiversity,” asserted Guajajara. ‘We are here at COP28 to bring
this Indigenous voice to the forefront, ensuring that our perspectives and solutions are integral to addressing the climate crisis.’
During the discussions at COP28, Minister Guajajara emphasised the vital importance for Indigenous peoples of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C. She also stressed the significance of the demarcation of Indigenous territories around the world. “Indigenous territories function as major barriers against the advance of deforestation and environmental destruction,” she said. ‘Therefore, these natural protectors of territories need to be involved in decision-making spaces.’
Minister Guajajara acknowledged that while Indigenous representation at COPs has been increasing, there is still more to be done. “We will continue to fight for more Indigenous representation at negotiation tables in Brazil and other parts of the world,” she said. ‘So, we are taking steps, although they may be slow steps, but they are firm steps to move away from this invisibility.’
Guajajara is Brazil’s first-e
ver Minister for Indigenous People. She is indigenous to the Guajajara/Tentehar people and was appointed as a minister of state by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, assuming office in January 2023. The minister stands out for her historical struggle for the rights of Indigenous peoples and the environment. She has international recognition for advocating for Indigenous peoples’ rights, territories, and socio-environmental causes, being elected one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2022.
Source: Emirates News Agency